In the Longevity Hall of Ding'an Marquis Mansion, Old Lady Gui was taking a nap and sipping goat's milk soup. Suddenly, a woman entered and announced respectfully, "Old lady, the second lady and the third girl have returned and have just arrived at the second door."
Mrs. Gui paused, spoon in hand, and asked, "Who has returned?"
"The second lady and...the third lady," the woman replied.
Mrs. Gui put down her bowl, intrigued. "The second daughter-in-law? I sent her to visit Sister Yan in the village. How did she bring her back?" She calculated the time in her mind. "They left Zhuangzi at noon, didn't they? Even in autumn, the noon sun is scorching. What if Sister Yan suffered from the heat?"
Meanwhile, Wen Yan walked into Changshou Hall with her second aunt, Cao. While pretending not to notice Mr. Cao's scrutinizing gaze, Wen Yan held a black cat in her arms, stroking its fur as she sized up the Ding'an Hou Mansion.
Although born and raised in the capital, Wen Yan was unfamiliar with this mansion. Since the late emperor moved the capital north, Lin'an City in the south of the Yangtze River had become the old capital. Many aristocratic families, including Wen Yan's, had relocated to Beijing.
Wen Yan's grandfather, the former Ding'an Marquis, had passed away before she was born. The court allowed the Marquis Mansion to remain until Old Lady Gui passed away, maintaining the family's reputation.
Wen Yan had visited Lin'an once as a child but remembered little. At eight, she entered the palace to accompany the princess. After that, she rarely traveled far.
Last year, her aunt's family was embroiled in imperial power struggles, and Wen Yan's family was implicated. Her father supported his mentor and brother-in-law but was persecuted. The Ding'an Hou Mansion spent heavily to rescue Wen Yan's siblings.
Wen Yan lived in the mansion for half a month, but the cold winter climate made her uncomfortable. She followed her grandmother's arrangement and went to the hot spring village.
In her previous life, Wen Yan had waited patiently for five years before taking revenge. This time, however, she was determined to repay kindness and seek revenge earlier.
As Wen Yan entered the Longevity Hall with Mrs. Cao, she handed her black cat to the maid, Sui Niang. "Take it to my yard and don't let it escape."
Mrs. Cao was taken aback by Wen Yan's mention of the Persian cat and the princess's potential displeasure.
Wen Yan approached Old Lady Gui, squatted before her, and said softly, "I dreamed last night that you called me 'Sister Yan.' I woke up anxious and missed you. Even if my second uncle doesn't come today, I'll ask Zhuangzi to prepare a carriage to take me back to the city. Grandma, Sister Yan misses you so much."
Mrs. Cao watched Wen Yan's performance, impressed by her sharp wit and strategic thinking.